(9 March 2026) – With more than 2,050 establishments rated and over 120,000 reviews submitted, Falstaff once again presents Austria's most comprehensive restaurant and inn guide in 2026. At the top of the list, a historic development is evident: six restaurants have achieved the maximum score of 100 points. For the first time, one federal state has three establishments with the highest rating – Salzburg is thus advancing to become the country's new culinary stronghold.

More than 20,000 registered Falstaff Gourmet Club members rated 2,050 restaurants and inns throughout Austria in the categories of food, service, wine list and ambience. The result marks a turning point: in 2026, Austria has six restaurants with the maximum rating of 100 points – more than ever before.

In addition to the international flagship Ikarus, Döllerer's Restaurant, Obauer (all in Salzburg) and the Bootshaus (Upper Austria) have now also achieved the top rating. The national top is rounded off by Steirereck (Vienna) and Landhaus Bacher (Lower Austria). The Falstaff community is thus not only setting a benchmark for the consolidation of the absolute top, but also for a clear geographical shift in focus: for the first time, one federal state has three 100-point establishments. Salzburg is thus positioning itself as Austria's new culinary stronghold.

This year's edition also shows strong momentum in the rankings: 606 climbers are offset by 151 descenders.

Quality over quantity – despite numerous restaurant closures, the quality is better than ever. Strongest trend: country inns on the rise again: "The Falstaff Restaurant Guide 2026 reveals two very strong trends: Firstly, country inns that focus on quality and often even fine dining are on the rise. Even though they are often only open from Thursday to Sunday, they are fully booked and are seeing great growth in turnover. On the other hand, those who are only trying to survive by serving schnitzel and roast pork are facing problems. This means that, alongside the much-cited decline of country inns, there is also a real renaissance for country inns that focus on quality – for example, the Landgasthaus Essl in the Wachau region, the Fröhliche Arbeiter in Burgenland and the Esslokal in Hadersdorf. Secondly, when it comes to fine dining, the west beats the east. Salzburg is an absolute gourmet stronghold with three 100-point restaurants. Here, you literally get the feeling that this culinary trio is driving the entire scene in Salzburg, but also in the whole of the west. While the headlines about the local gastronomy scene are full of complaints, we have to say: the quality of the local gastronomy scene has never been better!", says Falstaff editor Prof. Wolfgang M. Rosam.

The Falstaff Restaurant & Inn Guide 2026 was presented on 9 March in the festive setting of Vienna City Hall. Together with Vienna's mayor, Dr Michael Ludwig, publisher Prof. Wolfgang M. Rosam honoured the country's best restaurants, the regional winners and the winners of this year's Falstaff Awards.

Stiegl accompanied the presentation as the main sponsor, once again underlining the close connection between Austrian beer culture and top-class gastronomy. The Falstaff Beer Culture Award was also presented during the event. Evian was represented as a premium partner and complemented the stylish setting of the lunchtime event with its clear positioning in the premium segment.

Special awards 2026

• Chef of the Year:Fabian Günzel from Aend in Vienna. Günzel is considered the "purist" of domestic haute cuisine. No frills, no fuss – just the pure product in its highest form.
• Lifetime Achievement: Fabio Giacobello, owner of Austria's most successful Mediterranean restaurant FABIOS, has been running the country's most consistent and successful Italian cuisine for 24 years. He is a restaurateur with heart and soul and inspires with all his "emotions of the south".
• Hostess of the Year:Rosi Schipflinger from Rosi's Sonnenbergstube.
• International Ambassador: the ORIGINAL SACHERTORTE! No other Austrian dessert is as internationally renowned as the Sachertorte. It even beats Kaiserschmarren and Palatschinken. This makes the Sachertorte the international culinary ambassador for 2026.
• Sommelier of the Year: The pretty village of Leogang would be unthinkable without the Kirchenwirt – and has been for 700 years. Hans-Jörg Unterrainer is not only the landlord and owner, but in his younger years he was also the most successful snowboarder in the Austrian national team. Today, he watches over almost 1,000 bottles.
• Sustainability and innovation:Tono Soravia runs Collina am Spittelberg and has quickly become one of the most innovative restaurateurs in the country. His game menu is unrivalled in Austria. His focus on sustainability is particularly noteworthy.
• Best service of the year:Frequent flyers have known this for a long time – Austrian Airlines offers the best service in Europe. Over 100 flight attendants are already trained Austrian Wine Experts, which means they receive ongoing training in wine consultation. Despite frequent stressful situations, the literal "Austrian charm" is characterised by exceptional stability. That's why the Falstaff Award for Best Service goes to the 2,700 flight attendants at Austrian Airlines.
• Opening of the year:Bernhard Zimmerl has fulfilled his dream with Zimmerl in Waidhofen an der Thaya. High up in the Waldviertel region, a gourmet restaurant of international calibre has been created. Up to 23 small courses are served in an intimate atmosphere – delicacies made from the finest ingredients. Zimmerl works courageously and with complete concentration – and delivers a memorable evening.
• Best Viennese Beisl of the Year:The Herbeck Neue Gastwirtschaft in Vienna combines classic Viennese Beisl tradition with culinary sophistication. Chef Dominik Wagner provides high-quality Viennese cuisine, while an exceptional wine selection regularly amazes even connoisseurs. A Beisl with history, atmosphere and genuine tavern culture.
• Country inn of the year:Der Bärenwirt in Hermagor shows how vibrant Austrian pub culture can be. Manuel Ressi and his wife Claudia have developed the traditional establishment into one of Carinthia's top culinary destinations – with pub classics, regional ingredients and creative menus.
• Commitment to beer culture:Sternbräu in Salzburg has stood for brewing tradition for centuries. Today, this traditional establishment combines Austrian classics, regional products and the exclusively brewed "SternBier". Sternbräu thus remains a fixed star in Salzburg's beer culture.